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Monday, 19 October 2015

Saturday and Sunday 17th and 18th October

Despite the heavy greyness and the reluctance of the sun to emerge from the
gloom, it was quite a good “birdy”weekend.

All the regular raptors were seen including a Merlin that flew across
Ashgrave on both days.

Merlin (c) Derek Lane

On Saturday morning a big female Peregrine flew passed
the first screen heavily laden. It eventually landed somewhere out on Greenaways
to eat its prey. We were very uncertain as to what it had caught but careful
examination of the photos showed it to be a Black-headed Gull. It did seem to be
quite a large prey item and was clearly awkward to fly with.

Female Peregrine and Prey (c) JR

Two different Marsh
Harriers, Sparrowhawks, Kestrels, Common Buzzards and the ubiquitous Red Kites
made up the raptor numbers. Once again and sadly, Hen Harrier was noticeable by
its absence from the list. In the evening there were probably two different
Short-eared Owls hunting on Greenaways and adjacent fields.

Kestrel and Rook (c) JR

Sadly we were unable to relocate the Brambling that was seen on the path to
July’s Meadow during the week. On Sunday we finally managed to get near to one
of several Redpolls that have been seen in the Carpark Field and along the
bridleway to Noke. As in the last few weeks there were large numbers of
Goldfinches on the seeding thistles. Sometimes they would relocate, flying in
fairly tight flocks but each individual bird looking as though it was bouncing
along on its own personal strand of elastic.

Redpoll in the carpark field (c) JR

There is a Grey Heron that has staked a claim to the bridleway as its own
particular territory. We assume that it is specialising in catching voles or
mice but we have yet to see it do so. It allows a much closer approach than is
usual in this species and it will fly short distances ahead of you as you
approach. Eventually it will have been pushed along too far and will fly out
over Greenaways and circle round to take up its post again on the track behind
you.

Bridleway Heron (c) JR

We had excellent views of the Bittern again on Sunday. It flew up from the
reedy ditch beside the path to the screen and flew slowly back towards the
reedbed before disappearing. It would be useful, although difficult to establish
whether there are more than two birds present. If we do get some severe cold
then we may find out, if they are driven to hunt along the narrow strip that of
water that is always the last to freeze on the northern lagoon.

Flushed Heron (c) JR

Two large flocks of Fieldfares were seen on both days and there was a small
party feeding in the carpark field on Sunday morning when I arrived. We also saw
several smaller groups of Redwings moving along the hedgerow.

We might just have had a brief “ping” from the reeds beside the path but it
wasn’t repeated and it was very windy. Now is definitely the time when
“Beardies” will turn up if they are going to, so we will keep on looking and
listening.